Eden supervisor casts lone ‘nay’ vote on $3.6 million budget

A nearly $3.6 million budget for 2014 was passed by the Eden Town Board on Wednesday, but one notable person, Town Supervisor Glenn Nellis, cast the lone “nay” vote against the spending plan.

“I just felt the final budget with the cuts put in had gone too far,” Nellis said.

The supervisor noted he did not want to talk about what in particular he disagreed with but added that despite voting against the budget, he believes the board has a “competent” group of individuals who serve the town.

While breaking down the budget, Nellis said that, overall, the tax rate will see a slight increase of 1 cent for each $1,000 of assessment. A home assessed for $100,000 would see a tax increase of $1.

Nellis broke the taxes into four areas. He said the general fund will see a tax decrease from $2.13 to $1.98 per $1,000 of assessed valuation; the highway fund will see an 8-cent increase to $3.78 per $1,000; the lighting district is increasing slightly from 17 cents to 18 cents per $1,000; and the fire district budget will increase from $1.18 to $1.25 per $1,000.

According to the supervisor, Town Board members agreed they would not take a salary increase in 2014.

Nellis told the audience the Eden Town Board is not like many municipalities when it comes to the budget process.

“The Town Board sits in on all departmental meetings,” Nellis said, adding they are included on all budget meetings with department heads.

In other news, the board announced it will cancel its regularly scheduled meeting for Nov. 27 because of a lack of business to be discussed. The Town Board will hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11.